Valet keyfob system

• US 8,487,743 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2008
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Proefke, David T., Lassrich, Ingobert K., Wilson, Thomas A., Huntzicker, Fred W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, QUANG
• Application Number:
  US12/193,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20100039215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,793 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.1, 340/5.72, 340/5.64, 340/5.73, 340/5.6, 340/5.7, 702/37, 703/87, 703/88, 703/89
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7757 Push or pull key operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7763 Key ejecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7768 Key-removal preventing

Abstract

A system for activating a predetermined set of vehicle features on a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled, and a first processor coupled to the vehicle and configured to enable the valet keyfob to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features.

Claims

1. A system for activating a predetermined set of vehicle features on a vehicle, the system comprising:

a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to selectively activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled,

a receptacle deployed in the vehicle for storing the valet keyfob; and

a first processor configured to detect when the valet keyfob is stored in the receptacle and to disable the valet keyfob when the valet keyfob is detected in the receptacle and further to selectively enable the valet keyfob to selectively activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when the valet keyfob is removed from the receptacle in the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first processor is deployed in the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first processor is further configured to enable the valet keyfob to activate at least one additional vehicle feature not included in the predetermined set of vehicle features.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a master keyfob in wireless communication with the first processor, the master keyfob comprising a second processor configured to transmit a command to the first processor prompting the first processor to enable the valet keyfob.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a master keyfob is configured to transmit a signal to enable the valet keyfob when the valet keyfob is removed from the receptacle in the vehicle and when the distance between the master keyfob and the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a master keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle, the master keyfob configured to activate a primary set of vehicle features that includes at least the predetermined set of vehicle features.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the primary set contains more features than does the predetermined set.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first processor is configured to encrypt a signal enabling the valet keyfob.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a master keyfob in wireless communication with the first processor and the master keyfob is configured to transmit a signal to enable the valet keyfob when the valet keyfob is removed from the receptacle and when a valet keyfob activation button is activated on the master keyfob.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the valet keyfob further comprises a rechargeable battery, and the receptacle further comprises a battery charger.

11. A system for wireless activation of a predetermined set of vehicle features for a vehicle having a processor, the system comprising:

a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the processor and configured to selectively activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled;

a receptacle coupled to the vehicle and configured to store the valet keyfob; and

a master keyfob in wireless communication with the processor and configured to transmit a signal to the processor to selectively enable the valet keyfob to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when the valet keyfob is removed from the receptacle, wherein the processor is configured to detect when the valet keyfob is stored in the receptacle and to disable the valet keyfob when the valet keyfob is detected in the receptacle.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the master keyfob is configured to encrypt the signal.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the master keyfob is further configured to activate a primary set of vehicle features, and wherein the predetermined set of vehicle features contains fewer features than the primary set of vehicle features.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the master keyfob is configured to transmit the signal to the processor to enable the valet keyfob when the valet keyfob is removed from the receptacle and the distance between the master keyfob and the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the master keyfob is configured to transmit the signal to the processor to enable the valet keyfob when the valet keyfob is removed from the receptacle and a valet keyfob activation button is pressed on the master keyfob.

16. A system for wireless activation of a predetermined set of vehicle features for a vehicle having a processor, the system comprising:

a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to, when enabled, selectively activate the predetermined set of vehicle features containing fewer features than a primary set of vehicle features, and wherein the predetermined set of vehicle features comprises at least one feature not contained in the primary set of vehicle features;

a receptacle coupled to the vehicle, configured to store the valet keyfob;

a master keyfob in wireless communication with the processor and configured to selectively activate the primary set of vehicle features, and to transmit a signal to the processor that selectively enables the valet keyfob to activate at least one of the predetermined set of vehicle features when the valet keyfob is removed from the receptacle, wherein the processor is configured to detect when the valet keyfob is stored in the receptacle and to disable the valet keyfob when the valet keyfob is detected in the receptacle.